Major fire erupts in Royal Gorge area: 3,800 acres burning

Posted:
06/11/2013 01:07:00 PM MDT

A fire burns structures near both ends of the Royal Gorge Bridge on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. The Royal Gorge Fire has burned about 300 acres south of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Arkansas River. (John Wark, Special to The Denver Post)

The Royal Gorge Fire has burned more than 3,800 acres south of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Arkansas River. Crews have zero containment.

The fire sparked and quickly spread on the south side of river at about 1 p.m. Tuesday. It did jump to the north side. The fire actively is burning on BLM, state and private lands. About 100 structures, both residences and businesses, have been evacuated.

Gregg Goodland, public information officer for the Royal Gorge Fire, said the fire had not crossed U.S. 50 as of Tuesday night.

Pueblo Community College Fremont Campus was evacuated Tuesday along with Eight-Mile Hill and homes and businesses along Colo. 9. The SPLASh program at the Fremont Campus is canceled for today.

A fire is burning near the Royal Gorge. (Brandon Hopper/Daily Record)

The Cañon City Water Treatment Plant is on standby for evacuation.

"As you see the fire coming closer down the hill and then the alignment coming off that hill, yes, it is in danger," Goodland said.

The City of Cañon City on Tuesday placed water restrictions on customers. Citizens are requested to limit their water to the usage to the bare minimum in the event the plant is closed.

According to the Fremont County Sheriff's Office, tourist structures on the south side of the bridge and one building on the north side have been damaged. General Manager Mike Bandera said the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park evacuated about 1,400 visitors and 200 staff Tuesday, but the bridge remains intact.

"There was structure damage on both sides, but there is no structure damage to the bridge," he said.

Mandatory evacuations are in effect from Parkdale to Soda Point, north of the Royal Gorge. U.S. 50 is closed in both directions from Soda Point to Colo. 9. U.S. 50, and Temple Canyon Road remains closed.

The Arkansas River has been closed from Spike Buck through Cañon City.

Three patients with chronic lung disease were transported from St. Thomas More Hospital to St. Mary Corwin Hospital and nine residents from Progressive Care Center were transported to Villa Pueblo in Care Center, according to Jillian Maes, marketing and communications director for STMH. She reminded the public to keep windows closed and stay indoors because of the heavy smoke in the area.

More than 150 people are fighting the fire, including three BLM/USFS engines, multiple county resources, one BLM/USFS firefighting squad, one airtack plane, and one-20 person crew, one hotshot crew, one helitack crew.

Resources ordered include two Single Engine Airtankers, and one Type 1 hotshot crew, three hand crews, one Type 2 Incident Management Team. Those with livestock in the fire area and need help hauling it can call 369-5245.

A view of the fire is burning near the Royal Gorge. (Brandon Hopper/Daily Record)

The Red Cross is setting up shelter for evacuees in the student center of E-Free Church, 3000 Main St.

Goodland said hot, dry conditions are expected today, and Red Flag conditions are expected for Thursday.

"This thing is definitely not over," he said. "We've got a pretty good fight on our hands. We will do the best we can to provide for life safety more than anything else."

As a safety precaution and in coordination with local, state and federal authorities, Black Hills Energy - Colorado Electric & Colorado Gas announced that electric service to evacuated customers in Canon City has been interrupted in response to the Royal Gorge Fire. Restoration efforts will begin as soon as local authorities deem the area safe for residents to return to their homes.

"While we regret any inconvenience or potential disruption caused by this interruption of service, maintaining the safety of our customers is our highest priority," said Susan Bailey, general manager for Black Hills Energy - Colorado Gas. "Our dedicated electric and natural gas employees have been working tirelessly at the scene since the fire erupted on Tuesday afternoon. Right now, service has been interrupted for some Black Hills Energy customers in Canon City and Black Forest; however we continue to work closely with local authorities to safely manage electric and natural gas services to all of our customers impacted by these wildfires."

Black Hills Energy crews have been on the scene of the fire working with authorities throughout Tuesday afternoon. About 350 customers outside of Canon City had electric service disconnected for safety reasons mid-afternoon as the Royal Gorge wildfire grew, and crews continue to be engaged with preventative measures.

Another 300 customers of Sangre De Cristo Electric Cooperative, that receive electric service across Black Hills Energy transmission lines, are also without power Electric services will be restored to Canon City customers as soon as authorities determine it is safe to do so, without any needed action from the customer.

If there is significant fire damage to electric poles or other electrical equipment, restoration times for specific customers could be lengthened. Any additional updates for Black Hills Energy customers about the fire can be found online at www.blackhillsenergy.com/2013-co-fires.

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